Training and Technical Assistance to Develop, Revise and Supplement Indian Tribal Codes and Court Procedures on Child Abuse and Neglect. Final Report.

New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque. American Indian Law Center.

Chosen on the basis of geographic location, population, economic status, and land base size, 10 American Indian reservations received a 5-day training session and a 3-day follow-up session re: juvenile law as it pertains to child abuse and neglect. An American Indian Law Center staff attorney assisted by a law student conducted the training sessions which involved a combination of pre- and post-testing, lecture and discussion, slide presentations, extensive role playing, and use of a manual based on the Model Children's Code. The final day of the training session was devoted to instruction geared to the results of the post-test given on the fourth day. Each group was invited to decide the type of technical assistance the follow-up session would provide. Follow-up results varied from groups on the Rocky Boy's, Warm Springs, and Standing Rock reservations opting to write the first draft of a new juvenile code for their tribes to Fort Berthold's initiation of a new group called the Family Service Team whose objectives included providing counseling to children and parents on family problems, assisting police and social welfare personnel in securing crisis shelter placement, providing educational services, reporting suspected abuse and neglect, and preparing a resource directory. Evaluation of the training sessions suggested the 5 days should be changed to 3, the role playing was invaluable, the follow-up requires 2 trainers, and there should be additional training geared to specific groups (e.g., judges). (JC)